List of Reports provided to the Government on Criminal Justice Systems Issues Since 2015

List of Parliamentary Committee Reports and Government Responses

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Details:

Motion M-161 was introduced by Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John-Rothesay (Liberal). The motion read as follows:

That the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security be instructed to undertake a study of the Record Suspension Program to:

• examine the impact of a record suspension to help those with a criminal record reintegrate into society; (b) examine the impact of criminal record suspension fees and additional costs associated with the application process on low-income applicants; (c) identify appropriate changes to fees and service standards for record suspensions; (d) identify improvements to better support applicants for a criminal record suspension; and that the Committee present its final report and recommendations to the House within nine months of the adoption of this motion.

After three meetings held on the subject, the committee tabled a report, which read as follows:

In accordance with its Order of Reference of Tuesday, October 30, 2018 your Committee has considered M-161, Record Suspension Program and has agreed to report the following:

• The Committee recognizes that a criminal record has a negative impact on a person’s ability to find employment, housing, education, travel, adoption and custody of children, and also recognizes that the record suspension process must operate in a way that is sensitive to victims;
• The Committee recognizes that an applicant’s financial situation and ability to pay may be a barrier to applying, therefore the Committee recommends that the Government review record suspension fees, and fee structure;
• That the Government review the complexity of the record suspension process and consider other measures that could be put in place to support applicants through the record suspension process and make it more accessible;
• That, with a view to identifying options, the Government examine approaches to criminal record suspensions in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia;
• That the Government consider regulating those individuals or entities who are charging fees to help current or prospective applicants with the record suspension process;

• The Committee recommends that the Government review use of the term “record suspension”, recognizing the impact it has on applicants and program objectives; and
• That the Government examine a mechanism to make record suspensions automatic in specific and appropriate circumstances.

Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee requests a Government response to this Report.

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List of Recommendations

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada continue to support and consider increasing funding to the Aboriginal  Head  Start  in  Urban  and  Northern  Communities program.

Recommendation 2

That Correctional Service Canada increase the number of agreements with Indigenous communities under section 81 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada increase funding to Indigenous communities for agreements under section 81 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act in order to address the funding gap between healing lodges operated by Indigenous communities and those operated by the Correctional Service Canada.

Recommendation 4

That Correctional Service Canada make greater use of agreements concluded with Indigenous communities under section 84 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, and establish the required capacity.

Recommendation 5

That Correctional Service Canada make increased use of elder assisted parole hearings.

Recommendation 6

That the Corrections and Conditional Release Act be amended to require a parliamentary review by a joint committee of the House of Commons and the Senate, every five years, of the provisions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act concerning Indigenous peoples, specifically sections 81 and 84.

Recommendation 7

That Correctional Service Canada develop risk assessment tools that are more sensitive to Indigenous reality and review its security classification assessment process.

Recommendation 8

That Correctional Service Canada, in its security classification and risk assessment, consider the need to provide Indigenous offenders with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, and work to increase the number of Indigenous inmates eligible to serve their sentence in healing lodges or have access to culturally appropriate programming.

Recommendation 9

That Correctional Service Canada review its diagnoses and treatment of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder upon admission to corrections.

Recommendation 10

That Correctional Service of Canada liaise with Indigenous Services Canada in delivering a continuum of care that is consistent for Indigenous inmates and that the Correctional Service of Canada, upon release, advise Indigenous inmates of available health services at the point of release.

Recommendation 11

That a deputy commissioner for Indigenous affairs be immediately appointed within federal corrections.

Recommendation 12

That Correctional Service Canada provide professional, community-based training to parole officers, simplify the hiring process for officers, and raise community awareness to increase the number of Indigenous staff.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada consider grants for potential Indigenous correctional employees to cover the costs of their training.

Recommendation 14

That Correctional Service Canada whenever possible call upon elders who are recognized as such by Indigenous communities.

Recommendation 15

That Correctional Service Canada implement correctional programs designed specifically to meet the needs of Indigenous young adults in the correctional system.

Recommendation 16

That Correctional Service Canada adopt a trauma-informed therapeutic approach by implementing correctional programs that are adapted to the specific needs of Indigenous women.

Recommendation 17

That Correctional Service Canada adjust its work programs to reflect the current labour market in ways that do not reinforce gender stereotype jobs with a goal of supporting the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of Indigenous offenders.

Recommendation 18

That Correctional Service Canada provide employment programs to more Indigenous offenders by establishing employment centres in all healing lodges and correctional facilities, and using, as required, community organizations that provide employment services to Indigenous offenders.

Recommendation 19

That Correctional Service Canada review and revise its policy and internal release process to make sure that Indigenous offenders can obtain ID that is recognized in the labour market, prior to release.

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NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

Recommendation 1

Recommends updating and reinstating the previous Canadian Action Plan Against Racism and broadening it to include religious discrimination through consultations with civil society, grassroots organizations, and interfaith groups.

Recommendation 2

Recommends the creation of a directorate at the Department of Canadian Heritage which will develop, implement and monitor this National Action Plan.

Recommendation 3

Recommends the Plan has measurable targets, deadlines and reporting mechanisms, dedicated resources, and adequate monitoring be implemented to ensure that the plan is sustainable and accountable.

Recommendation 4

Recommends that the Government of Canada collect disaggregated data in all relevant ministries and departments to improve monitoring and evaluation of the implementation and impact of policies to eliminate racial discrimination, inequality, and the racialization of poverty.

DATA COLLECTION

Recommendation 5

Recommends that the Government of Canada establish uniform pan-Canadian guidelines and standards for the collection and handling of hate crime data and hate incident data; this would include efforts to standardize the definition and the interpretation, by law enforcement, of hate crimes.

Recommendation 6

Recommends that the Government of Canada create a national database to retain and analyze hate crime and hate incident data.

Recommendation 7

Recommends working with Statistics Canada to enable access to increased information on hate crime offenders and their motivations.

REPORTING OF HATE  CRIMES

Recommendation 8

Recommends that the Government of Canada mandate relevant departments and encourage partners at the provincial and municipal levels and within civil society to create additional reporting options for victims of hate crimes and hate incidents, in addition to reporting to law enforcement.

EMPLOYMENT AND SERVICES

Recommendation 9

Recommends  that  the  Government  of  Canada  develop  and  implement  public   policies   and   tools   to assist individuals who face barriers to equitable access to services and employment and to eliminate these barriers, such as the racialization of poverty.

Recommendation 10

Recommends the Government of Canada develop and implement tools that foster diverse and equitable hiring within the Federal Public Service.

Recommendation 11

Recommends that the Government of Canada, working with the provinces and territories, establish a task force to assess the comparability of education and credentials obtained outside of Canada.

EQUITY LENS

Recommendation 12

Recommends that the Government of Canada implements an equity lens towards public policy, similar to the Gender Based Analysis lens, taking into account intersectionality. This lens should include but not be limited to different racial, Indigenous, ethnic, linguistic, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religious groups.

GOVERNMENT POLICY MAKING

Recommendation 13

Recommends the Government of Canada develops an anti-racism impact assessment framework to help anticipate and remove unconscious bias in proposed policies, programs, and decisions.

INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS

Recommendation 14

Recommends that the Government of Canada complete the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Recommendation 15

Recommends that the Government of Canada conducts a review of existing legislation, and ensure that all new legislation complies with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Recommendation 16

Recommends that the Government of Canada implement Jordan’s Principle, to ensure that Indigenous children receive the health care that they require in a timely and efficient manner.

Recommendation 17

Recommends that the Government of Canada work with Indigenous Peoples across Canada to increase the number of education partnerships and agreements, respecting the principle that Indigenous Peoples control Indigenous education.

INTERFAITH AND INTERCULTURAL  DIALOGUE

Recommendation 18

Recommends that the Government of Canada facilitate, support, and fund efforts across Canada to initiate interfaith and intercultural dialogue to promote better understanding between different communities.

Recommendation 19

Recommends that relevant federal government departments create a mechanism for organizations and communities to share best practices with the federal government.

COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING

Recommendation 20

Recommends that the Government of Canada facilitate, support, and fund efforts across Canada dedicated to capacity building for communities; to strengthen community involvement, civic inclusion, and leadership development.

Recommendation 21

Recommends the Government of Canada increase multiculturalism funding dedicated to eradicating systemic racism  and  religious  discrimination  and  to  promote  greater  intercultural  understanding  and  awareness.   In particular funding should be dedicated to groups whose statistics demonstrate are the most acutely affected by systemic racism and religious discrimination.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Recommendation 22

Recommends the Government of Canada take a strong leadership role to actively condemn systemic racism and religious discrimination including Islamophobia.

Recommendation 23

Recommends that the Government of Canada develop a public awareness campaign to promote diversity and inclusion.

Recommendation 24

Recommends that the Government of Canada develop an education campaign to promote media literacy.

Recommendation 25

Recommends that the Government of Canada work in collaboration with the provinces and territories to develop educational materials about different religious and cultural practices as a means to foster cross-cultural and inter- faith awareness and understanding.

Recommendation 26

Recommends that the Government of Canada, working in collaboration with the provinces and territories, institute cultural competency training to combat systemic racism and discrimination and religious discrimination that may be embedded or perceived to be embedded within a number of professions, giving professionals the opportunity to immerse themselves in other cultures to ultimately learn from and connect with these cultures.

Recommendation 27

Recommends that the Government of Canada provide grants; and that they be given to academic experts in Canadian universities to support the creation of research on systemic racism and religious discrimination, which can be used to inform public policy.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Recommendation 28

Recommends that the Government of Canada work with the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs to incorporate racial and cultural sensitivity training as well as specific training for the handling of hate crime cases for officers and other members of law enforcement.

Recommendation 29

Recommends that the Government of Canada increase funding for law enforcement and security agencies to investigate hate speech on the Internet and to enforce existing laws.

NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBERANCE AND  ACTION

Recommendation 30

That January 29th be designated as a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia, and other forms of religious discrimination.

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List of Recommendations

Recommendation 1 – Increasing Awareness

That the Government of Canada take appropriate measures to increase public awareness of human trafficking. This should include campaigns directed to the general population and targeted towards specific groups, such as the hospitality industry, taxi, limousine drivers and ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft. It should also be directed towards more vulnerable groups or persons, such as Indigenous and racialized communities, and children. These campaigns should also be reaching out to young people through social media.

Recommendation 2 – Protecting Victims Abroad

That the Government of Canada increase awareness among officials working in Canadian embassies and consulates regarding the assistance and protection of victims of human trafficking by providing them with regular updates and training on the inititatives taken by Canada to combat human trafficking and assist its vicitms. A copy of this report should also be distributed to them.

Recommendation 3 – Preventing Victimization of Migrant Workers

That the Canada Border Services Agency take immediate steps to ensure that all migrant workers are briefed upon their arrival in Canada in languages that they understand on their rights, including specifically their labour rights, to prevent human trafficking from occurring.

Recommendation 4 – Appropriate Training of Stakeholders

That  the  Minister  of  Justice  work  with  the  provinces  and   territories    to implement measures to ensure appropriate training for prosecutors and first responders, including police  officers,  immigration  officers,  nurses  and medical  professionals,  for  the  purpose  of  enhancing  the  detection   of human  trafficking  incidents  and   the   investigation   and   prosecution  of human traffickers, as well as improving interventions to support victims.

Recommendation 5 – Training for Judges

That the Minister of Justice encourage the provinces and territories to support training programs aimed at increasing awareness of human trafficking among judges.

Recommendation 6 – Financial Reports

That the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada [FINTRAC] develop and implement an effective outreach program designed to assist financial institutions and money services businesses, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in detecting suspicious financial transactions that could be related to human trafficking, and to use them in investigations and prosecutions.

Recommendation 7 –  Protecting Temporary Foreign Workers’ Rights

That Employment and Social Development Canada ensure that all migrant workers are reminded on a regular basis, in languages that they understand, on their rights and recourses in Canada. More specifically, they should be reminded that if they report situations of human trafficking, they will not be deported for the duration of the rest of their work permit. They should also be informed that they can find a new employer within the same field, when credible allegations of human trafficking or other exploitative situations are reported. Such procedures should be facilitated by the Department. To ensure proper compensation for workers, where applicable, the Department should also advise them of the existence of provincial bodies, such as labour tribunals, and inform them of the recourses available to them.

Recommendation 8 – Parameters and Definition of Human Trafficking

That the Minister of Justice work with the provinces and territories to firmly establish the parameters and the definition of human trafficking to ensure that there is a definition used by all governments within Canada. The work towards developing a common definition of human trafficking should be the subject of a federal-provincial-territorial meeting of ministers responsible for justice and public safety.

Recommendation 9 – Data Gathering and Information Sharing

That the Minister of Justice work with the provinces and territories to improve data gathering and information sharing among all stakeholders involved in the fight against human trafficking in Canada and work towards creating a national database containing such data and information.

Recommendation 10 – National Hotline on Human Trafficking

That the Government of Canada include in its National Human Trafficking Hotline project announced in Budget 2018:

• a reporting system for victims of human trafficking and for receiving tips from the public about potential human trafficking incidents;
• an online component that could be used by civil society organizations to share information about human trafficking;
• an information-sharing system specifically designed for law enforcement agencies; and
• an ability to report into the hotline by text.

Recommendation 11 – Renewal of an Enhanced National Action Plan

That the Government of Canada work towards the renewal of an enhanced National Action Plan to End Human Trafficking. This enhanced plan should be supported through adequate resource allocation to address the realities and challenges facing community organizations that assist victims as well as law enforcement agencies that are charged to investigate and detect human trafficking.

Recommendation 12 – Special Events

That the Government of Canada consider taking steps to require organizations hosting an event that may attract a significant number of tourists into the country to notify the Canada Border Services Agency and local police prior to hosting such events with the objective of increasing law enforcement agencies’ vigilance in terms of monitoring and tracking potential victims and traffickers along the borders and at airports.

Recommendation 13 – Collaboration and Coordination

That the Minister of Justice, at the earliest opportunity, share the practices recommended in this report with the Minister’s provincial and territorial counterparts during the next meeting of the federal–provincial–territorial ministers responsible for justice and public safety. The aim should be to seek collaboration and coordination across the country in the fight against human trafficking.

Recommendation 14 – Federal Funding

That the Government of Canada provide funding on a one-time basis to the provinces and territories to cover some of the costs resulting from the implementation of the recommendations set out in this report.

Recommendation 15 – Publishing the Identity of Convicted Human Trafficking Offenders

That the Minister of Justice takes the steps necessary to publish the identity of convicted human traffickers to deter people within Canada and others located abroad from committing or participating in the commission of this horrific crime and abuse of human rights.

Recommendation 16 – Publishing the Names of Establishments Found to have Knowingly Facilitated Human Trafficking

That the Minister of Justice work with its provincial and territorial counterparts to establish a mechanism that would allow the publication of the names of establishments within the hospitality industry, such as hotels, that have been found by a competent tribunal to have knowingly facilitated human trafficking.

Recommendation 17 – Creating Self-Governance within the Hospitality Industry

That the hospitality industry creates self-governance within their membership to regulate human trafficking within the industry. This should include appropriate code of ethics regarding the facilitation of such crime within their establishments. The industry should also be given proper education on human trafficking and be encouraged to collaborate with local police to facilitate the identification of traffickers.

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NOTE: No Government Response was tabled due to the dissolution of Parliament for Election 2019.

List of Recommendations

Recommendation 1—Funding for Training on Online Hate

That the Government of Canada increase funding for law enforcement, crown attorneys and judges to ensure that they receive sufficient training and orientation on the importance, and the need to combat online hatred, including being sensitive to complainants.

Recommendation 2—Sharing Best Practices

That Justice Canada develop materials and best practices on collecting data and combatting online hate to be distributed to law enforcement agencies across Canada.

Recommendation 3—Addressing the Gap in Data Collection

That the Government of Canada adopt a two-pronged approach to address the gap in data collection that recognizes the fact that members of marginalized groups often feel more comfortable reporting hate incidents and hate crimes directly to civil society organizations which reflect their community rather than law enforcement officials:

• Firstly, resources need to be allocated to assist in the collection of data, by both governmental institutions as well as civil society organizations. This will ensure that we have a more complete understanding of the extent of hatred in Canada, particularly hatred that is directed online.
• Secondly, in order to facilitate the reporting of hate crimes, it is paramount that agents of the state, including police forces, reflect the racial, religious, LGBTQ2 and general diversity of the populations they represent. Police forces, particularly their hate crimes units, must work collaboratively alongside civil society organizations including utilizing the data collected by such organizations, to fully address incidents of hate motivated incidents and crimes, including those occurring online.

Recommendation 4—Tracking Online Hate

That the Government of Canada implement the recommendations regarding  the  tracking  of  online  hate  formulated  by  the      Standing

Committee on Canadian Heritage in its report entitled ‘‘Taking Action Against Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination Including Islamophobia’’, dated February 2018:

• Recommends that the Government of Canada establish uniform pan-Canadian guidelines and standards for the collection and handling of hate crime data and hate incident data; this would include efforts to standardize the definition and the interpretation, by law enforcement, of hate crimes - Recommendation 5.
• Recommends that the Government of Canada create a national database to retain and analyze hate crime and hate incident data - Recommendation 6.
• Recommends that the Government of Canada mandate relevant departments and encourage partners at the provincial and municipal levels and within civil society to create additional reporting options for victims of hate crimes and hate incidents, in addition to reporting to law enforcement - Recommendation 8.

Recommendation 5—Preventing Online Hate

That the Government of Canada work with the provincial and territorial governments and community organizations who combat hate on appropriate requirements to educate the population as to what on the Internet constitutes hate. Federal organizations such as the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and the Canadian Human Rights Commission should be utilized to provide models of best practices on combatting online hate.

Recommendation 6—Formulating a Definition of Hate

That the Government of Canada formulate a definition of what constitutes ‘hate’ or ‘hatred’ that is consistent with Supreme Court of Canada jurisprudence. It is critical that this definition acknowledges persons who are disproportionately targeted by hate speech including but not limited to racial, Indigenous, ethnic, linguistic, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religious groups.

Recommendation 7—Providing a Civil Remedy

That the Government of Canada develop a working group comprised of relevant stakeholders to establish a civil remedy for those who assert that their human rights have been violated under the Canadian Human Rights Act, irrespective of whether that violation happens online, in person, or in traditional print format. This remedy could take the form of reinstating the former section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, or implementing a provision analogous to the previous section 13 within the Canadian Human Rights Act, which accounts for the prevalence of hatred on social media.

Recommendation 8—Establishing Requirements for Online Platforms and Internet Service Providers

That the Government of Canada establish requirements for online platforms and Internet service providers with regards to how they monitor and address incidents of hate speech, and the need to remove all posts that would constitute online hatred in a timely manner.

• These requirements should set common standards with regards to making reporting mechanisms on social media platforms more readily accessible and visible to users, by ensuring that these mechanisms are simple and transparent.
• Online platforms must have a duty to report regularly to users on data regarding online hate incidents (how many incidents were reported, what actions were taken/what content was removed, and how quickly the action was taken). Failure to properly report on online hate, must lead to significant monetary penalties for the online platform.
• Furthermore, online platforms must make it simple for users to flag problematic content and provide timely feedback to them relevant to such action.

Recommendation 9—Authentication

That online platforms be encouraged to provide optional mechanisms to authenticate contributors and digitally sign content, and couple this with visual indicators signifying that given user or content is authenticated, and provide users options for filtering non-signed or non-authenticated content.

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Details:

Motion M-167 was introduced by Shannon Stubbs, Member of Parliament for Lakeland, Alberta (CPC). The motion read as follows:

That the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security be instructed to undertake a study on rural crime in Canada and consider factors, including but not limited to: (i) current rural crime rates and trends, (ii) existing RCMP and other policing resources and policies in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, particularly in relation to population density, policing geographic area, and staff shortages, (iii) current partnerships with provincial, municipal, and Indigenous police forces, (iv) possible recommendations to improve rural crime prevention and to curb emerging crime rates, (v) measures to increase the tactical and operational effectiveness of Indigenous police forces,
(vi) strategies and resources dedicated to the judicial and rehabilitation systems in rural areas, (vii) improved support for victims of rural crime, and that the Committee report its findings to the House within six months of the adoption of this motion.

SECU Report:

MANDATE OF THE  COMMITTEE

On 30 May 2018, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (the Committee) was instructed by the House of Commons to undertake a study of crime in rural areas in Canada and to report its findings to the House.[1] The Committee heard from 19 witnesses over the course of five meetings in June and October 2018 and received seven briefs.[2] Witnesses provided their perspectives of events and expertise on the issue of crime in rural areas. The Committee heard testimony from several individuals who shared their challenging experiences with crime in rural areas and the difficulties they faced.

CRIME IN RURAL  AREAS

The Committee recognizes that crime in rural areas is of growing concern to rural residents across the country. The Committee heard that while crime in rural areas is more acute in western Canada, eastern provinces are also experiencing high crime rates in rural areas.[3] Incidents reported by witnesses to the Committee were related to property crimes such as a break-ins, thefts and, in some cases, violent assaults.[4] The risks of sexual violence, violence towards women and suicide in rural areas were also underscored by witnesses.[5]
Edouard and Jessica Maurice, Fredrick Priestley-Wright, Alicia Bedford and Geraldine Dixon explained to the Committee how rural residents are sometimes left on their own because of long police response times, which can be hours or even days in some cases. According to Scott Newark, this is the core of the crime problem in rural areas, which is causing an erosion of public confidence.[6] The Committee heard of innovative solutions that could help address the issue, such as the crime reduction strategy that has been implemented by the province of Alberta.[7]
The Committee recognizes the feelings of helplessness of the witnesses, and their desire to take matters into their own hands. However, the Committee discourages this kind of intervention by citizens. The Committee agrees with Nick Cornea who said: “Be Vigilant and Not Vigilantes.”[8] While community watch groups and rural crime groups should be encouraged, they should not be an alternative to professionally trained police officers.
Witnesses also emphasized the importance of partnerships between police forces and community groups, who can be the eyes and ears of front-line officers.[9] Moreover, the Committee heard that rural communities are generally very respectful of the

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) due to their long-term presence and responsibilities within the communities they serve.[10]

POLICING IN RURAL  AREAS

Policing is primarily the responsibility of provincial governments. Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador manage and fund their own provincial policing services. Some municipalities and First Nations and Inuit communities choose to have their own police services as well. However, the RCMP is contracted by several provinces, municipalities and First Nations and Inuit communities to provide policing services, including Alberta and Saskatchewan, the most represented provinces in the witnesses appearing before the Committee. The provinces and municipalities who enter into these policing arrangements with the RCMP establish the level of resources, budget and policing priorities of the contract police detachments in consultation with the RCMP.[11]

Therefore, the Committee strongly encourages provinces and territories to increase investments in policing and innovative solutions, including emergency response and dispatch centres. In addition, the Committee believes that every Canadian should have equal access to policing, victim services and programs,[12] and that the RCMP should consider ways to partner with other policing agencies and make greater use of the auxiliary and reserve programs in rural areas.[13]
In conclusion, the Committee believes that effective crime reduction measures should have at least four components: adequate police resources, partnerships with the community, robust victim support and a justice system that inspires public confidence.

Dissenting Opinion of the Conservative Party of Canada dissenting Opinion from Conservative Members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
When Alberta Member of Parliament Shannon Stubbs introduced a motion to study the rising crime rates in rural and remote regions of Canada, she noted that her constituents “feel unsafe in their homes and at work because of escalating robberies, thefts, and break-ins in small towns, family farms, and businesses.”[1] Numerous victims of crime in rural areas shared the same sentiment. Statistics Canada data show rural crime rates are 30% higher than urban communities.[2]

The Liberal government’s response to this study is intentionally short to prevent members of the opposition from sharing a thoughtful dissenting opinion. Their report is an insult to all Canadians, especially victims of crime in these rural areas who are asking for help from their government. To add insult to injury, each of the Liberal members who participated in the study represents an urban riding. None of these members were willing to step aside to let their rural colleagues be heard. From the outset of the study, this was concerning.

The evidence presented showed critical gaps that are clearly within the mandate and scope of the federal government:

• A lack of police resources in RCMP detachments leading to response times delayed by hours – sometimes days
• Ambiguity in the Criminal Code surrounding property rights and self-defence
• The absence of Emergency dispatch (9-1-1) in rural and remote areas
• Significant financial hardships, mental and physical health challenges and lack of services for victims of physical and sexual violence

The Liberal report is silent on these issues.

Testimony provided to the Committee noted that criminals preying on rural Canadians are coming primarily from urban areas. Criminals understand that police response times in rural areas can be slow, neighbours can be miles away, and rural regions are easy prey. Repeat offenders should face serious consequences for their actions, have access to addiction counselling, and demonstrate that they have reformed before rejoining society. Canadians deserve to live in safe communities and not be re- victimized by these criminals.

The Liberal report is silent on these issues.

Communities have started to respond by forming their own rural crime watches and conducting volunteer patrols in absence of a police presence. Some rural victims, who took steps to defend themselves and their property, faced more serious police response and prosecutions than the criminals who attacked them. As noted in the Committee, numerous court decisions have called for Ottawa to clarify self-defence laws.

The Liberal report is silent on these issues.

Actions Instead of Words
There is an imperative to act, and this government cannot ignore the plight of rural Canadians.
Canada is a country that often rallies to help each other in our times of need. Canadians rallied when a terrorist attacked Parliament, when an individual shot innocent people in Toronto, and when an attack was carried out at a mosque in Quebec City. Canadians come together and support one another – just as many in rural areas donated to help with legal fees of Edouard Maurice when he faced a trial for defending his family and property. A government that fails to help Canadians in their times of need is undeserving of its position.

The government could act now to reduce crime rates in rural areas. It could act to prevent repeat offenders from returning to victimize a community again and again. It could improve bail release and custody conditions, and it could increase the use of electronic monitoring. These policies would put the focus back on the criminals, not on victims.

The Liberals could act to clarify self-defence laws, raised since 1995 by the Courts as being inadequate. They could commit to providing support for police and prosecutors on charges against individuals who defend themselves and their families.
Conservative Members of the Committee call on all rural Members of Parliament to make their voices heard. Speak up for their constituents and ensure that all Canadians have access to emergency services and police protection for their communities. It is only when we put Canadians ahead of political allegiances that we can address the need of the many victims of crime in rural communities.

NDP supplementary report to the SECU committee tabled by MP Christine Moore on Motion M-167
The New Democratic Party believes that this report is incomplete because it does not take into account all the rural issues highlighted by the testimonies.
We want to propose certain concrete measures to adequately respond to the specificities of rural Canada and stop crime.
We think that the federal government should play an active role and help the provinces and territories to ensure security in rural areas.

We recommend that the current report address the following measures: 1- Rural specifics related to the RCMP

• Rural situation

The first RCMP assignments disseminate new recruits to rural areas across Canada.
Although the committee has been informed of a transition period and training to familiarize recruits with their new environment, it is clear that they have an incomplete understanding of the territory and the specifics of the regions where they are posted.
Assistant commissioner Byron Boucher stated that rural assignments were filled by young recruits and only for short periods of time. In addition, RCMP recruits receive no specific training to prepare for life in rural areas or for remoteness and isolation.
New recruits should not be assigned to rural areas unless they are familiar with the environment. The federal government cannot only “encourage provinces and territories to increase investments” but should also collaborate with provinces and territories and help ensure the safety of rural Canadians.

• Indigenous situation

The current report does not address the situation of Indigenous people in the police force. MP Georgina Jolibois, suggested revising the RCMP requirements and adapting them culturally to support the recruitment of natives. According to her testimony, the indigenous application process for the RCMP is too long and tedious.

• Peacekeeping program in remote communities

The positive experience of Pelican Narrows community succeeded in implementing a peacekeeping program. Through this program, trained individuals who are not police officers, oversee surveillance activities and can respond to emergencies. These agents, follow a six-week community-funded training program and make their community safer.

• Awareness raising and suicide prevention in rural areas

In rural areas, the majority of those killed by firearms are suicides and almost exclusively men. Due to the focus on crime instead of mental health in the discussions surrounding gun control, we struggled to reduce the death by guns and prevent them. In Canada, 80% of firearm deaths are suicides.
We know that plans and strategies can save lives: in Québec the strategy to prevent suicide has radically reduce the number of suicides in the province. To better understand suicide in rural areas, we want to add concrete measures related to suicide prevention.
Motion M-174 of new-democrat MP Charlie Angus asks for the formation of a national action plan to prevent suicide. Canada is the only G7 country that does not have such a plan, which is why motion M-174 asks the federal government to define national strategies for suicide prevention, to invest in adequate programs for indigenous communities and to distribute information through the creation of a national online platform.

• Support for victims

The current report does not sufficiently address the situation of women victims of sexual or marital violence in rural and remote areas.
Mrs. Christina Johnson mentioned the silence that surrounds sexual violence against women. Because of the closeness of individual in rural areas, they fear being confronted by family members or friends of their abuser in the reporting process of that abuse.
In addition, they face a lack of resources and a “culture of acceptance and normalization”.
Christina Johnson also deplored the lack of individuals supporting victims of sexual violence, specifically the lack of women rights defenders and the lack of individuals trained to work with trauma.

• Access to 911 service

The government should play a role in collaboration with provincial and territorial partners to ensure universal access to 911 emergency service everywhere in Canada in the two official languages.

We believe that these additional remarks complete the current report to better understand the problems of crime and violence in rural and remote areas. The testimonies showed the necessity to act and implement concrete measures at all levels of government, especially at the federal level.

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Details
The Committee recognizes that the responsibility bestowed upon a government to counter terrorism-threats and ensure the safety and security of individuals is a vital issue. The Committee is of the opinion that the measures taken to address these threats should respect the constitutionally protected rights and freedoms of Canadians. The “two responsibilities do not compete with each other, they are one and the same.” The enactment of additional national security measures should not lead to weaker human rights protections. To adhere to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms should not leave Canadians vulnerable to threats.

The decision to uphold human rights within Canada’s national security framework should not be considered to hinder national security efforts, but should be recognized as a key component of it. As pointed out by some witnesses, to reject the false dichotomy that it has to be one or the other affirms that Canada’s approach to national security is one grounded in full regard for human rights.

List of Recommendations

Recommendation 1

That the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act be
amended to require the publication of the Public Report on the Terrorist Threat to Canada, and specifically include 1) performance indicators, 2), data on information sharing as it relates to the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act, and 3) the obligation that it be annually tabled in Parliament.

Recommendation 2

That building upon past experience, the Government of Canada increase funding for long-term research as well as the development of professional expertise, both within government and outside government, to understand and address new and evolving threats to national security.

Recommendation 3

That Public Safety Canada develop a community-based strategy for the prevention of radicalization to violence based on research data and focusing on best local practices. It should include programs for the empowering of youth and women, inclusion of marginalized persons and groups, and broad community and educational activities.

Recommendation 4

That counter-radicalization programs continue to include and expand efforts to stop groups that promote radicalization from gaining a foothold to spread their message of violence, or the precursors to violence.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada increase its contribution to and promote the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program to help communities at risk of hate-motivated crimes improve their security infrastructure.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada recognize that establishing a national security and intelligence committee of parliamentarians is a first step toward increasing the transparency and accountability of the security agencies and that other mechanisms must be considered in order to restore Canadians’ trust in those agencies.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada create an independent and external review body for the operations of the Canada Border Service Agency.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada establish statutory gateways among all national public safety and national security review bodies in order to provide for the appropriate exchange of information, referral of investigations, conduct of joint investigations and coordination in the preparation of reports.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada increase the funding of all public safety and national security review bodies to enable them to carry out their mandates effectively, matching the increase in activities of the agencies they oversee and to ensure the protection of Canadians’ rights and freedoms.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada establish a national security review office as the integrated review body for the bodies inside the government that have a national security mandate that are currently without a review body and that the national security review office act as a coordinating committee for the existing national security review bodies. The national security review office should have the following mandate:

• to ensure that the statutory gateways among the independent review bodies operate effectively;
• to take steps to avoid duplicative reviews;
• to provide a centralized intake mechanism for complaints regarding the national security activities of federal entities;
• to report on accountability issues relating to practices and trends in the area of national security in Canada, including the effects of those practices and trends on human rights and freedoms;
• to conduct public information programs;
• to initiate discussion for co-operative review with independent review bodies for provincial and municipal police forces involved in national security activities.

Recommendation 11

That the reference to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in section 12.1(3) of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act be repealed in order to remove the ability to violate the Charter.

Recommendation 12

That before the Canadian Security Intelligence Service engage in disruptive powers, the agency exhaust all other non-disruptive means of reducing threats.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada ensure that section 12.1 of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act (CSIS Act) requires that all disruption activities that violate Canadian law necessitate a warrant and that the Minister’s approval be obtained prior to the activity under section 21.1 of the CSIS Act.

Recommendation 14

That the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act be amended in order to include a quarterly report on disruption activities for the Committee of Parliamentarians.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada ensure that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service respect the traditional distinction between intelligence gathering and police disruptive operations by working in concert with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other police forces to assist in their investigations and the exercise of their disruptive powers, and not duplicate such investigations or powers.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada restrict preventive detention to only exceptional, narrowly defined circumstances, and ensure conditions of those detained comply with Canadian and international standards on detention and due process.

Recommendation 17

That the Government of Canada study other measures that could be used instead of preventive detention.

Recommendation 18

That sections 83.3(2) and 83.3(4) of the Criminal Code be amended in order to remove the wording “may be” and “is likely to” applicable to recognizance with conditions and to replace them with the “balance of probabilities” concept.

Recommendation 19

That section 83.221 of the Criminal Code be amended in order to clarify the concept of “terrorism offences in general” and to consider replacing it with “terrorism offences”, as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code. Furthermore, the Government of Canada should consider applicable defences modeled after those in section 319(3) of the Criminal Code that prohibit the wilful promotion of hatred and contain a number of truth and fair comment defences.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada ensure no Canadian is restricted from the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression and freedom of association, and that it remove any provisions in current legislation that may be in contravention to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms or restrict the legitimate exercise of rights, particularly those of journalists, protesters, non- governmental organizations and environmental and Indigenous activists.

Recommendation 21

That the definition of “terrorist propaganda” in section 83.222(8) of the Criminal Code be amended in order to be limited to material that counsels the commission of a terrorist offence or that instructs the commission of a terrorist offence.

Recommendation 22

That the scope of activities subject to information sharing under the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act be narrowed so as to be consistent with all other national security legislation.

Recommendation 23

That the Government of Canada change the definition of an “activity that undermines the security of Canada” and revise the list of activities enumerated in section 2 of the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act in order to ensure that basic civil liberties such as freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly are upheld.

Recommendation 24

That the Government of Canada ensure that protections guaranteed under the Privacy Act are not abrogated by the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act, thus ensuring Canadians’ privacy is protected.

Recommendation 25

That the proposed Committee of Parliamentarians conduct an immediate review of the operational evaluation of the information exchange process included in the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act.

Recommendation 26

That the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act be amended in order to adopt a model of dual thresholds, one threshold of relevance for the disclosing institutions and a threshold of necessity and proportionality for the recipient institutions currently numbered at 17.

Recommendation 27

That the Government of Canada create an office of the national security compliance commissioner to review all national security information sharing activity between and among government departments and agencies, including Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to ensure compliance with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and all Canadian law.

Recommendation 28

That the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness review the ministerial directives concerning torture to ensure that they are consistent with international law.

Recommendation 29

That sections 38 to 38.16 of the Canada Evidence Act be amended in order to repeal the two-court system for criminal cases and enable trial judges to review secret information and decide on matters of confidentiality.

Recommendation 30

That the Canada Evidence Act be amended in order to allow the court to appoint, upon request or automatically, special advocates, with the necessary security clearance, who will be given access to confidential government information and will be tasked with protecting the interests of the accused and of the public in disclosure proceedings.

Recommendation 31

That sections 83(1) and 85.4(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act be amended in order to give special advocates full access to complete security certificate files.

Recommendation 32

That the Secure Air Travel Act be amended in order to allow an individual who has been denied air travel to confirm with the Passenger Protect Inquiries Office that they themselves are or are not on the Canadian Specified Persons List, and that they do or do not share a name with an individual on the Canadian list.

Recommendation 33

That the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act be amended to provide that Public Safety Canada’s annual report to Parliament include the number of individuals on the Specified Persons List.

Recommendation 34

That the Government of Canada enhance the operations of the Passenger Protect Program in order to prevent false positive matches with individuals with the same or similar names.

Recommendation 35

That the Government of Canada create an expeditious redress system to assist travelers erroneously identified as a person on the Specified Persons List (known as “false positives”) and that it continue to work with foreign governments in order to assist Canadians whose names appear on these governments’ lists.

Recommendation 36

That the Secure Air Travel Act be amended in order to require the Minister of Public Safety to respond to an administrative recourse under the Act within 90 days. If the Minister does not respond within the prescribed time period, the individual will be automatically removed from the Specified Persons List.

Recommendation 37

That the Secure Air Travel Act be amended in order to provide for the nomination of a special advocate to protect the interest of individuals who have appealed to have their name removed from Specified Persons List.

Recommendation 38

That the Government of Canada ensure effective safeguards in the Passenger Protect Program against any unfair infringements on individuals’ legitimate right to liberty, freedom of movement, privacy and protections from discrimination on the basis of national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Recommendation 39

That at this time, and following the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R. v. Spencer, no changes to the lawful access regime for subscriber information and encrypted information be made, but that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security continue to study such rapidly evolving technological issues related to cyber security.

Recommendation 40

That the Communications Security Establishment, in acting upon the requests of other national security agencies regarding the surveillance of private communications and the gathering and retention of metadata, work only with appropriate warrants from the agencies making such requests.

Recommendation 41

That cyber security strategies need to adopt a whole of government approach, such as the GCHQ (UK Government Communications Headquarters) approach.

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04.h

Overview of Final Report – Volumes 1a and 1b

Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girlsis split into two volumes, 1a and 1b, for length, but is made up of three main sections, in addition to the final findings of fact and Calls for Justice. This report also includes focused examinations that look at specific issues in more detail. Volume 1a includes Sections 1 and 2, while Volume 1b includes Section 3, our final Calls for Justice, the annex summarizing the work of the Forensic Document Review Project, and an overall bibliography. The report specific to Quebec is a separate volume (Volume 2). Volume 1a, Section 1 of the report provides an overall framework that will be helpful for readers in approaching the information presented in the later sections of the report. This framework identifies the violence experienced by Inuit, Métis, and First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people as violations of their Indigenous and human rights; focuses on the importance of relationship to ending violence; and privileges the voices of family members and survivors, particularly Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA people’s voices, to find solutions. Section 2 in the same volume focuses heavily on the testimony gathered from families and survivors to better understand their encounters with individual, institutional, and systemic forms of oppression, and to provide a substantive analysis that centres the knowledge, expertise and solutions offered by those who have experienced violence, or who have been touched by it.

In Volume 1b, we present Section 3, which returns to many of the principles and teachings that provided the foundation for Section 1 with a focus on different models of healing, commemoration, and Indigenous-led best practices. This is followed by the Calls for Justice, which brings all of these experiences together to articulate a compelling and ambitious vision for change. These sections are guided by important principles around highlighting distinctive perspectives from First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, as well as those experiences that are shared. Volume 1b also includes an annex providing a summary of the important work of the Forensic Document Review Project, which undertook a focused forensic examination of many of the files about which families and survivors spoke, and an overall bibliography.

04.i

Recommendations

• 1.1 It is recommended that additional training on lethal force over- watch be provided to members.
• 3.1 It is recommended that members be in possession of a cellular or satellite phone (where available) and police radio while on duty, as a required part of Service order #1.
• 3.2 It is recommended the RCMP examine how it trains frontline supervisors to exercise command and control during critical incidents.
• 3.3 It is recommended that the RCMP provide training to better prepare supervisors to manage and supervise throughout a critical incident until a CIC assumes command.
• 3.4 The RCMP explore options that would allow for a common operating picture (COP) to be available for simultaneous monitoring by frontline supervisors, Critical Incident Command, Division Emergency Operations Center (DEOC) and the National Operations Center (NOC). *****
• 3.5 That Emergency Management System and the 'web-mapping service from the NOC be considered for each Division and policy, training and supervision be established requiring their use in Critical Incidents, major events and disasters, by DEOC and the CIC.
• 3.6 It is recommended that, where it does not already exist, each Division establish a policy and protocol through an Emergency Operational Plan to identify entry/exit points and major transportation routes that should be alerted and monitored in the event of a relevant crisis.
• 4.1 It is recommended that when transporting TAVs long distances it should be done by rail or flatbed truck.
• ·      4.2 *****.
• ·      4.3 *****.
• 4.4 It is recommended that annual night training exercises with Air Services be developed and undertaken to maintain proficiency for ERT members.
• 4.5 It is recommended that infrared (IR) strobes be attached to each TAV to enable them to be identified by specific call-sign during operations with air surveillance.
• 4.6 It is recommended that non-ERT personnel be selected and trained as drivers for TAVs to free up ERT members for primary duties.
• 4.7 It is recommended that a standard list of equipment be developed for ERT duties and that this equipment be acquired and distributed across the program.
• 4.8 It is recommended in large scale events where Air Services is utilized, Air Services personnel with the appropriate training should be assigned to the Command Post as a liaison for air service support.
• ·      4.9 *****.
• 5.1 Policy should be amended to state that where a general duty member is qualified in the use of a long barreled weapon and where one is available; the member must ensure the weapon is in the police vehicle while on duty.
• 5.2 Firearms must be stored with sufficient ammunition.
• 5.3 All RCMP members receive a briefing and demonstration on the appropriate deployment of HBA.
• 5.4 Shotguns should be fitted with slings to enhance their deployment and safety.
• 5.5 Maintenance and storage procedures of all detachment firearms and ammunition must be the subject of a mandatory ULQA.
• 5.6 During high stress/high risk incidents a supervisor must clearly provide direction regarding equipment use.
• 6.1 It is recommended that trainers and supervisors take into account how cognitive biases undermine training and consider how to mitigate the effect of these natural and universal thought processes.
• 6.2 It is recommended that any testing component of RCMP firearms use include a physical exertion component as well as tactical repositioning and communication. This should be supplemented with practice, scenario based, dynamic training and evolving risk assessment. They should include reminders of the firearms capability, even beyond qualification distances.
• 6.3 It is recommended that training material be made available concerning the difference between cover and concealment, including examples of the penetrative capabilities of bullets from various firearms.
• 6.4 It is recommended that IARD training be adapted to include various environments ***** as well as decision making, planning, communication, asset management, and supervision components to ensure members work through constant risk assessments and that OCC training in coordination/response to high risk incidents should be conducted at the same time as IARD training to emphasize the realism of the scenario.
• 7.1 It is recommended that Codiac OCC consider the implementation of an automatic numeric identification (ANI) system to support officer safety.
• 7.2 It is recommended that Codiac detachment radio coverage be examined outside of Moncton center to rectify areas that have gaps in coverage.
• 7.3 It is recommended the RCMP examine the implementation of encrypted radio systems for operational effectiveness, officer safety and protection of privacy.
• 7.4 It is recommended that the two Moncton radio repeater sites be permanently patched to ensure members have optimum radio coverage while maintaining communication with the OCC.
• 7.5 It is recommended that primary and secondary channels be examined in greater detail, to allow dispatchers better control of network airtime.
• 7.6 It is recommended that policy be developed that mandates the creation of a radio user guide which will be available to all members. This should incorporate a map of the province showing repeater sites/detachments and a list of the radio channels.
• 7.7 It is recommended that a system be developed, both radio and data, that would allow for communication between RCMP members from the Maritime Divisions, when required to work outside of their home jurisdiction.
• 7.8 It is recommended a high resolution mapping system, such as the web-mapping service from the NOC, be integrated within CIIDS, having the ability to share vital information as perimeters and location data.
• ·      7.9 *****.
• 7.10 It is recommended that OCCs should have an experienced NCO available to coordinate operations in critical incidents and to offer direct operational advice to call takers and dispatchers.
• 7.11 It is recommended the reporting structure of Codiac OCC is refined to ensure the Support Services Officer is engaged in the provision of training, equipment and policy considerations.
• 7.12 It is recommended that ERT develop a quick reference guide for non-ERT trained members who may be called upon to offer assistance (e.g. aerial spotters and other observation posts). These reference guides could be provided by the ERT telecommunications technician who would be in a position to instruct members on ERT radio protocols.
• 7.13 It is recommended the RCMP create policy that allows for the use of plain language as an alternative to 10-codes in urgent situations.
• 8.1 It is recommended that NCS create a plan that can be referenced to allow relief for Division communications staff in the event of a prolonged incident. The plan should be developed to take into consideration the requirements of each Division.
• 8.2 It is recommended that standard operating procedures be developed to ensure communications personnel are part of the initial operational callout procedure for serious events.
• 8.3 It is recommended that news conferences in these types of incidents should have a spokesperson presenting the operational perspective of the investigation to reassure the community that police are taking action.
• 8.4 It is recommended that software solutions be sought by NCS in order to properly monitor social media.
• 8.5 It is recommended that up to date, functional, portable devices be provided to Communications personnel to enable them to effectively use social media and permit them to effectively do their job.
• 8.6 It is recommended that NCS provide a point of contact with the essential skills for regimental funerals (internal or external to the RCMP) who is paired with the Strategic Communications Unit.
• 8.7 It is recommended that all regimental funerals have a professional photographer to ensure they are properly recorded.
• 8.8 It is recommended that families of fallen members be made aware that communications assistance is available to act as a buffer between the families and the media. In addition this will provide families access to the RCMP website to post messages/photos.
• 8.9 It is recommended that divisions have access to real-time social media monitoring which could help identify operational risks and inform a communications strategy.
• 9.1 It is recommended the RCMP develop an improved system to enable members to obtain ammunition for practice.
• 9.2 It is recommended the relevant policies and practices should be reviewed to ensure there are appropriate controls and no constraints that would interfere with members improving their firearms proficiency.
• 11.1 The Review recommends the RCMP consider broadening its support for initiatives that support young people with mental illness.
• 12.1 Development of a national guide to establish roles and responsibilities and advice for managers and persons tasked with implementing an after care strategy. This could include a plan for rapid and scalable deployment plus consideration for long term maintenance to prepare for notable events such as the first year anniversary of the tragedy.
• 12.2 Updating of the existing Fallen Member guide with considerations for the following: operational briefings of families, possible tour of the fallen members' work space with the family, consideration for the management of flowers, cards and gifts, provision of information on the Depot Memorial and the Peace and Police Officer Memorial in Ottawa.
• 12.3 The critical incident stress management (CISM) team should consist of experienced psychologists who understand policing; experienced RCMP employee peer support personnel, RCMP chaplains and nurses trained in CISM.
• 12.4 Development of a plan for ongoing follow-up at specified periods during the first year and also during periodic health assessments (PHSs) for those members directly involved.

Consideration should be given to the utilization of the questionnaire as noted in this section of the review.

• 12.5 A review of the processes related to the provision of aftercare services to those involved such as families, municipal employees, auxiliary constables and volunteers should be undertaken.
• 12.6 Consideration should be given to ensuring that members who are unable to return to work are kept informed of information that could affect them.
• 12.7 It is recommended that an interview with a psychologist should be conducted with employees prior to their return to duty to prepare them for changes in their work environment that have taken place as a result of a traumatic incident.
• 12.8 A CISM team, which was not involved with the operation, should provide a Post Action Staff Support (PASS) debriefing for those who conducted debriefings. This should occur once the operation is completed and preferably prior to their return to their home units.
• 12.9 When an employee is killed on duty certain pay and compensation mechanisms are triggered that generate automated messages and mail to families relating to the cancelation of certain benefits. These automated processes lack sensitivity and cause undue stress. It is recommended a review of these systems be conducted to prevent this from occurring.
• 12.10 Following the death of a member of the RCMP, there is a substantial amount of required paper work and procedural processes expected of family members. It is recommended that a liaison be identified to assist family members on behalf of the deceased with the completion of all necessary paperwork.
• 12.11 When a member is physically/psychologically injured or deceased and thus unable to join appointments with their family, the spouses and children of the member cannot access the member's insurance and must rely on private insurance coverage. This coverage can only reimburse the cost of 5 to 7 hours of psychological services per year. It is recommended that steps be taken to rectify this to remove the burden this insufficient funding places on families of the members.
• 13.1 It is recommended the RCMP take immediate action to expedite deployment of patrol carbines across the Force. This action must include significant and permanent augmentation of the Force's training capacity.
• 13.2 It is recommended the RCMP conduct a thorough analysis of the approval and procurement processes (including the research and development phase) relating to equipment that impacts officer safety. This analysis should include identifying an appropriate senior authority to take responsibility for such projects, establishing appropriately resourced project teams and setting deadlines for delivery.

In Moncton, New Brunswick on June 4th, 2014, Constables Douglas Larche, Dave Ross and Fabrice Gevaudan were murdered and Constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were injured. RCMP members were the specific target of the shooter and an entire community's sense of safety and security was undermined. The nature of this tragedy and deaths of our members demanded that we understand the facts of the event and our response in order to learn from them and enhance the safety of our officers and our communities.

On June 30th, 2014, former Commissioner Paulson appointed Assistant Commissioner Alphonse MacNeil (retired) to conduct an independent review to better understand all aspects of the Moncton shooting and make recommendations that could assist our members in the future when responding to these types of incidents. Mr. MacNeil conducted a comprehensive and critical assessment of what took place and submitted his final review (the Report) on
December 1st, 2014, which included recommendations for consideration by the RCMP.

Public and officer safety remains the RCMP's top priority. Many of the initiatives listed below were ongoing at the time of this tragedy. However, the RCMP has responded to the MacNeil Report by leading significant improvements in supervision, training, equipment, communications and aftercare to assist with future RCMP responses to this type of incident.

With these actions, the RCMP has:

• provided additional tools and training to frontline supervisors to manage critical incidents;
• improved training to provide its members with additional skills and tools to assist in responding to critical incidents, including developing mandatory outdoor Immediate Action Rapid Deployment training, continual enhancement of Annual Firearms Qualification to include dynamic movement, expanding patrol carbine training to cadets at the RCMP's training academy, and ongoing patrol carbine training for front line RCMP officers;
• enhanced the deployment of specialized technology and equipment required to respond to critical incidents;
• provided significant improvements for effective communications among officers and with the public when responding to critical incidents; and
• improved aftercare support for families, officers, employees, volunteers and the public following such tragic incidents.

There has been substantial progress on the implementation of the MacNeil Recommendations, including considerable improvements in member supervision, training, equipment and technology, communication, and aftercare. To date, the RCMP has implemented or concluded over 55 recommendations, including: key officer safety improvements for Immediate Action Rapid Deployment training; Annual Firearms Qualification; and, patrol carbine purchases and training.

Work continues on the recommendations that are not yet fully implemented. These recommendations have various timelines until full implementation and require assessment processes and/or information technology solutions that will take additional time.

Date modified:

2021-09-13